Aurelio’s inks deal to be the Official Pizza of the Lincoln Park Zoo

Posted on March 31, 2014.

Supporting world-class, affordable family-friendly fun, Aurelio’s Pizza signed an agreement to become the Official Pizza of Lincoln Park Zoo, and sponsor of its United Run for the Zoo and Jammin’ at the Zoo summer concert series.

Aurelio’s well-loved, iconic pizza with its thin crust, signature sauce and freshest ingredients will be the official pizza available at Park Place Café. And, to ensure the product quality that is synonymous with the Aurelio’s brand, the pizzeria is bringing its special pizza making processes to the zoo.

Aurelio’s also will be a sponsor of the upcoming United Run for the Zoo. And, along with receiving other promotional considerations, runners will love that Aurelio’s will be providing its delicious pizza at the United Run for the Zoo Post Party. The agreement also includes sponsorship of the popular Jammin’ at the Zoo series.

Connecting millions of people each year with nature, Lincoln Park Zoo, established in 1868, is a family-oriented wildlife experience advancing the highest quality of animal care, education, science and conservation. It operates one of the country’s largest zoo-based conservation and science programs and nationally lauded educational programs. Lincoln Park Zoo depends primarily on the support of visitors, members and donors.

“Chicago has many wonderful attractions; it’s part of what makes our city great. But not all of them are open year-round or affordable for families,” said Kirk Mauriello, COO, Aurelio’s Pizza. “Lincoln Park Zoo is open 365 days a year and is still free. It’s educational, fun, affordable and wholesome family entertainment. Both Aurelio’s and Lincoln Park serve families with the best we have to offer. As a family pizzeria for 55 years, we wanted to enhance the zoo experience by providing our pizza at the park and also in sponsoring the zoo’s signature events. Especially since more than two-thirds of the zoo’s operating budget — it takes $62,000 a day to keep the zoo free and open to everyone 365 days a year – comes from revenue from food service, retail shops, parking, and fund-raising activities. We are so pleased to be part of supporting this experience.”

“Lincoln Park Zoo is extremely pleased to bring Aurelio’s into the zoo family. We now have a Chicago hometown, high-quality pizza to offer the zoo’s 3.5 million guests. We are thrilled and believe this will be a real asset for zoo visitors,” said Bryan Anderson, vice president of corporate alliances at Lincoln Park Zoo.

With a history as rich and entrenched in the community as the pizza it’s famous for, the very first Aurelio’s restaurant opened on Ridge Road in Homewood, as the pride and joy of Joseph A. Aurelio, Jr. who decided to give it a go as a restaurateur at the age of 26. With its legendary “old oven” dating back to 1959 in its Homewood location, Aurelio’s was one of the pioneers of the Family Pizzeria concept in the United States and helped to launch pizza into the American lexicon. Since that time, Aurelio’s has become one of Chicagoland’s claims to fame. And, transplanted Chicagoans all over the map have helped to bring their favorite pizzeria franchise to 41 cities across six states, growing a strong fan base for the taste of Aurelio’s. For additional information, please visit: www.aureliospizza.com.

Lincoln Park Zoo, a historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, is dedicated to connecting people with nature by providing a free, family-oriented wildlife experience. A leader in conservation science both globally and locally, the zoo exemplifies the highest quality animal care and educational outreach. The not-for-profit zoo, managed by The Lincoln Park Zoological Society, is a member-supported organization and one of the nation’s only free, privately managed zoos. For more information, call 312 -742-2000 or visit www.lpzoo.org.